CAC NEWS

A collaborative partnership of

school districts, staff, students, parents/families, and community agencies

Supporting Equitable Learning, Programs and Access

for ALL students.

The Ventura County SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) that facilitates communication between districts and families, has regular meetings to discuss issues with SELPA leadership, and provides parent trainings on topics such as the IEP process, behavior strategies, life after high school and social skills. The CAC promotes services and resources for special education students and their families.

MONDAY

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

4 – 6 PM

Members of the public are always welcome to attend CAC meetings and give pubic comments.

To receive Meeting Notices Click Here.

As you are settling into your school year please know that the CAC is here to support you!

Please welcome our newly elected Executive Board:

Amanda Alfred, Chair

Carole Shelton, Vice Chair

Flavia Seawright, Membership Secretary

Ashley Pope, Treasurer

Lee Ann Holland, Parliamentarian

Carole Shelton, Public Information Officer

Vacant, Secretary

To nominate someone (Teacher, Student, Parent/Caregiver, Specialist) for "going above and beyond" in serving special education students and/or families please download the application below.

Starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, regular attendance is essential for students gaining the academic and social skills they need to thrive. Research shows that when students are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school and graduate from high school.

Chronic absence has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, from 8 million to an estimated 16 million students nationwide. That’s one out of three students. Absenteeism has risen among all student groups, at every economic level. Black, Latino and Native American students, students living in poverty, students with disabilities and English language learners have been especially affected.

-Used with Permission From Attendance Works

September 18, 2023

4 – 6 PM

Presented by: Christopher Kearney, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair Department of Psychology, University of Nevada

This training is about problematic school absenteeism and a multi-tier approach that focuses on prevention, intervention for emerging or moderate cases, and strategies for more chronic and severe cases.

There is no cost to attend this training.

September 27, 2023

4 – 6 PM

Presented by:

Michele Harding

VCOE Program Specialist
Tamme Koehn

VUSD Program Specialist

In this conference participants will learn about reinforcement as an evidence-based practice and have time after the presentation to make some token boards and reinforcement systems.

October 4, 2023 in Oxnard

4 – 6 PM

October 17, 2023 in Simi Valley

4 – 6 PM

VC SELPA and Rainbow Connection Family Resource and Empowerment Center will present IEP Basics.

October 24, 2023

10 – 11:30 AM

With David Dowling, JD, MDR

November 15, 2023 5:30 – 7:30 PM (Virtual)

March 23,2024 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (In Person)

Meet with Agency Representatives and learn about the transition process...

Student attendance is encouraged!!

Ventura County SELPA is committed to supporting families and districts as they work towards early resolution options. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides a neutral environment and a variety of choices and utilizes consultation, collaboration, and communication to resolve disagreements, preserve relationships and maintain focus on the needs of our students. ADR allows the decision-making process to stay in the hands of the family and district.

Transition Resources

Special Education Rights at Age of Majority

Transition Information For Students

Transition Agency Padlet

Educationally Related Social Emotional Services (ERSES)

Social Emotional Services

Social Emotional Continuum

Residential Care Fact Sheet

Rainbow Connection serves children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families, the professionals who work with them, and their communities, families of children and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 22 navigating special education and the IEP process throughout Ventura County.

Rainbow Connection believes that every person should be valued, respected, and given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Rainbow Connection is dedicated to offering understanding, support, information, education, and resources to all members of the community in both English and Spanish.

Email: rainbow@tri-counties.org
Website: https://rainbowconnectionfrc.weebly.com/
Phone: 805-485-9643
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rainbowconnectionfrc

Tri-Counties Regional Center is one of twenty-one non-profit regional centers in California providing lifelong services and supports for people with developmental disabilities residing in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

TCRC provides person and family-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities to maximize opportunities and choices for living, working, learning, and recreating in the community.

Are you eligible?

Early Start Program – Newborn to Age 3, No Referral Needed

Are you concerned about your child's development? Does any aspect of their speech, physical abilities, behavior, or any other area seem delayed? We want you to know that the Tri-Counties Regional Center Early Start program is here to identify and treat developmental delays in children 0-3 years of age. These services are free; there is no cost to you. Please share the word that anyone may refer to our Early Start program. If you are concerned about your child’s development, visit our Connect with an Intake Coordinator web page. Learn more about our Early Start program here.

Register Here For Regional Email Alerts

Oxnard

2401 East Gonzales Road, Oxnard, CA 93036

(805) 485-3177 (800) 664-3177 FAX (805) 988-9521

Simi Valley

2635 Park Center Drive, Suite A, Simi Valley, CA 93065

(805) 522-8030 (800) 517-2524 FAX (805) 522-8142

Fillmore

970 W. Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA 93015

(805) 292-1101 (844) 926-5992 FAX (805) 292-1103

Welcome to SCDD!

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.

Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.

Vision:

Californians with developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as all Americans.

Mission:

The Council advocates, promotes and implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families

Have a great 2023-2024 school year!

The Ventura County SELPA office is responsible for the implementation of the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan, and for ensuring a free appropriate public education to all students with identified disabilities according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Emily Mostovoy-Luna - Associate Superintendent

Sarah Fontenot - Administrative Assistant III

Local Plan Implementation

Interagency Coordination, Policies & Procedures

SELPA Office Operations

Related Staff: Adapted PE Teachers, Assistive Technology Assessment Center,

Orientation & Mobility Specialists, Residential Placement Consultants

Regina Reed - Director of Personnel Development

Anabel Lopez-Penny - Administrative Assistant II

Program & Personnel Development

ERSES Program & COEDS

Behavior

Early Start

Related Services Staff: Social/Emotional Services Specialists, DHH Teachers

Joanna V. Della Gatta - Director of Technical Support and Transition

Mariella Cazares-Flores - Administrative Assistant II

SIRAS Support, Forms & Instructions

Private Schools

Pattern of Strengths & Weaknesses Model

WorkAbility Program

Transition

Related Services Staff: Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, WorkAbility Specialists

Nick Vlahos - Director

Jeanine Murphy - Director, Family & School Collaboration

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services

Ruben Ramirez - Program Specialist

Peter Aguirre - Program Specialist

Email: vcselpa@vcoe.org
Website: www.vcselpa.org
Location: 5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA, USA
Phone: 805-437-1560
Facebook: https://facebook.com/VenturaCOE
Twitter: @VenturaCOE